Hi Vic,
I’m sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Although, for some of us, it’s a time of mixed emotion, with a feeling very like relief - especially if we’ve felt ill for some time, and worried what it might be, or even that we might be going mad!
It’s quite unusual for neuros to recommend dietary changes, especially as there’s little scientific backing for a dietary approach to MS - although there are many different regimes you can try, that some people swear by.
I wonder if you are overweight, or have other health problems the neuro thinks need addressing? What changes is he suggesting?
Exercise is generally believed to be both good and safe for people with MS, but what will be realistic and suitable depends very much on your own personal circumstances, as MS is such a hugely variable disease. Whilst a few will run marathons, that’s probably beyond the scope of most of us. Pilates, yoga, and swimming are all supposedly quite good for MS (none of which I practice, but keep meaning to).
But in general, anything you can still do without making yourself feel too ill is fine. Experiment will show what you’re OK with, and what you’re not.
Opinions vary on this, but personally, I’d work on trying to improve your walking range and endurance, rather than opting straight for a wheelchair.
Some people feel a wheelchair has changed their life - for the better! But I suppose it really depends how bad your walking is, and, if you’ve recently had a relapse, there may still be prospects of recovery.
A couple of years ago, I could barely make it to the local post office without coming over all weak and wobbly. I’ve not measured exactly how far that is, but it can’t be more than about half a mile. I panicked, and foresaw rapidly being housebound. But since then, I’ve gradually extended my range and endurance, 'til I can regularly walk three miles, now. Early progress was barely perceptible, and I often wondered if I was doing myself more harm than good. But now I’m regularly walking further than I did when I was well, and think it can’t have done me much harm.
Tina